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ACCC delays ruling on Austar deal

Australia’s competition regulator the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has delayed a ruling on Foxtel’s bid for Austar, amid concerns it could create a near-monopoly.

The ACCC stated that the deal “is likely to result in a substantial lessening of competition” in the pay-TV services market.

It has now sought further information on certain competition issues and deferred a final decision until September 8th.

Source: The Australian

9 Responses

  1. I live in a Foxtel/Austar area and love it! because I haven’t paid full price for Foxtel since I signed up with them back in 2005. Hope ACCC blocks the takeover so I can keep my bargaining power *evil laugh*

  2. They allowed the ASX and Sydney Futures exchange to merge because they where both already monoplies in the respective markets. I don’t see how this is any different.

  3. There is no competition – Austar and Foxtel cannot be sold in the same markets, I believe except for a couple of small areas. You have no choice, it is purely based on location. Having the one provider of current services means people don’t have to miss out just because they are stuck with one or the other, if it was all Foxtel then it’d be the same product and that is a good thing. Having had both, I prefer foxtel for equipment and the lack of delays that austar has in providing some channels etc.

  4. ACCC seriously couldn’t even spell its own name correctly.

    Lessening of competition where in 99% of markets there is only 1 provider = bullshit.

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